MAJOR PROJECTS
Eddie Rednic of Ealing Swim Club puts the pool at Gurnell Leisure Centre through its paces
Sport in the
fast lane
Sport in the borough
should have a bright
future thanks to
investment of more
than £65million in new
facilities. Neelum Bains
reports.
I
n the last four years Ealing Council
has spent more than £30million
in new sports facilities; with plans
to invest a further £35million
over the next three years, providing
a lasting and sustainable legacy for
residents following the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The council has been working
to a plan aimed at increasing
participation in sport and
recreational activities
for people of all ages
across the borough.
After having the
opportunity to
host some of the
Olympic torch relay
before London
2012, the council
pledged to create
more opportunities
14
around ealing
Summer 2016
for residents to play and enjoy sport
across the borough.
National body Sports England has
approved these plans and recognised
the council’s established system of
working in partnership with community
groups and sports developers as a
model of good practice for other local
authorities to follow.
DIVING IN AT GURNELL
Following the success of the £15million
Northolt Leisure Centre and £18million
Everyone Active Acton Centre in
recent years, the council plans to
invest more than £37million in the
redevelopment of Gurnell Leisure
Centre in Ruislip Road East.
Subject to planning permission, the
new centre would be due to open in
2019. The old one would close in 2017.
The new flagship leisure facility would
include a 50-metre Olympic-length pool
with moveable floors, a leisure play
pool, a fitness gym, studios, children’s
soft play area and café. As well as
the new indoor leisure facilities, the
regeneration will provide improved
outdoor facilities including a new
playground, skate park, BMX track,
Trim Trail and distance marker routes.
IN YOUR AREA
GREENFORD, NORTHOLT AND
PERIVALE
The council is working
with William Perkin High
School to create a
£2.8million youth sports
development centre in
the heart of Greenford
for its schools and
residents to enjoy.
Perivale Park is also
getting a £440,000
makeover to replace
the pavilion, which
will bring back into full
Pupils playing football at William Perkin High School, where
modern sports facilities for the community are being built